The ‘margin munters’ are on the way – so read this spring carp advice!

Darren Cox of Garbolino, in our regular match fishing blog spot, gives great advice to catching spring carp in the margins. For a massive amount of latest match fishing results and more be sure to read the all-new Angler's Mail magazine, on sale every Tuesday.

Lumpy spring carp are the subject of this Angler’s Mail match fishing blog by Garbolino ace Darren Cox (pictured). Check back here each week for new blogs. Read all the latest match fishing results – and much more – exclusively now in the new-look Angler’s Mail magazine each week.

This last weekend I was at Meadowlands near Coventry both days and there was lots of carp activity with fish showing themselves out in open water, and fish being hooked and lost on the pole line. Then suddenly many anglers who had fed the margins and had a little space caught the odd carp late on.

All week prior to that I had heard from several people around the country that anglers were catching lots of silvers, good bream and carp in the edges where they have not had a bite for months! These fish know what is happening before we do!

Only in the last few days have the green shoots appeared on the trees and as the days grow longer I have noticed my grass needs a trim. Most waters are still relatively clear especially in the edges but it’s not deterring the inquisitive nature of fish to find food where they know it is likely to be.

The water round the edges warms up the quickest most days, especially where it gets a lot of direct sunlight. This is where the invertebrates and weed are likely to appear soonest and this is where you are sure to find the carp too.

Caution is key to catching ’em close right now

Speed Pots are handy for feeding.

At this time of year I try to fish as far away from myself as I can into space down the edge. The clarity of the water will mean the fish are still very spooky so anything you can do not to upset them will help.

Hook baits and hooks still need to be kept small and light lines will get more bites as long as the swim is clear. Keep your lighter hollow carp elastics in and this will help keep disturbance to a minimum when you hook a fish.

I like to introduce a bit of groundbait with a few dead maggots and corn in it, and will just kick the swim off with one pot when I feel it’s ready.

Then I will use a small Garbolino Speed pot on my pole and introduce small amounts of corn and maggots regularly to keep some bait falling through the water.

I’m certain this helps in clear water and feel the fish prefer to see bait falling through the water rather than settle over a mass of bait. It also makes it much easier to catch any odd fish which come into the margins if there is not too much bait in the swim.

Lighter evenings mean more spring carp margin action!

The end of March signals the clocks going forward which will give us a lot more light in the evenings. This is when the margin fish will really come into play as the water starts to colour up.

This signals the time to up the ante with line hooks and elastics and also tells me that I may need to feed more bait on these lines.

Whether you are just out for a nice pleasure session or planning your next match don’t neglect these inside swims from now on otherwise you will miss out on some great fishing!

Be lucky!

Darren

For a massive amount of latest match fishing results and so much more, including Lee Kerry’s column and Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year coverage, be sure to read the all-new Angler’s Mail magazine, on sale every Tuesday.